Automatic ornament setting machine



Jan. 21, 1964 KQRTICK 3,118,214

AUTOMATIC ORNAMENT SETTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet l I Q 0S I I H G 1 H] v 0 Q 9 03 Q m (D 0 Q V U3 \9 0 2,? a w r m w Yr / INVENTOR.

MORRIS KORTI CK ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1964 KORTICK 3,118,214

AUTOMATIC ORNAMENT SETTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. MORRIS KORTICK BY 2 ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1964 M. KORTICK AUTOMATIC ORNAMENT SETTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 8, 1959 MORRIS KORTICK ATTOR N EY M. KORTICK AUTOMATIC ORNAMENT SETTING MACHINE Jan. 21, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 8, 1959 JNVENTOR. MORRIS KORTI CK ATTO R N EY Jan. 21, 1964- M. KORTICK 3,118,214

AUTOMATIC ORNAMENT SETTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 8, 1959 I F 6. l4

6/00 F I G- INVENTOR.

MORRIS KORTICK BY I er r ATTORNE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent My present invention relates to the stonesetting art, and more particularly to a machine for automatically setting rhinestones or other ornamental objects in preformed settings.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a stonesetting machine which is completely automatic, requiring a minimum of attendance by an operator.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a stonesetting machine which will operate automatically at high speeds with a minimum of errors.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stonesetting machine which is readily adaptabl to multiple setting operations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic stonesetting machine which is si ole in construction and easy and economical to manuracture and assemble.

\Vith the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section thereof.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the cam drive for the pick-up and crimping operation.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section of the pick-up and crimping head.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partly in section, of the drive mechanism below the base.

PEG. 7 is a vertical section showing the setting chain drive mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the setting feed safety switch.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the intermittent locating mech for chain drive.

FIG. 10 is a detailed View of the for the chain settings.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are enlarged sections showing the pick-up and setting operations.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of hopper plate.

FIG. 15 is an electrical diagram of the safety circuit.

11 the jewelry art rhinestones and other ornaments have been mounted in preformed settings by providing the settings with tangs which are crimped over the stone or ornament. In the beginning this work was done by hand. Then tools were devised for the crimping opera ion in a foot press.

feeding mechanism In the meantime the demand for costume jewelr increased and the preformed settings have been formed into chains for necklaces and bracelets. To speed production it was found necessary to provide auto matic machine to accomplish the setting. The prior art shows several such devices whicn have been found in actual "ractice to be much too sl w in operation and com pletely unreliable.

One of the problems is the fact that a rhinestone is unbalanced and has a top and bottom which must be set exactly right. The feedi g of the stone is a major problem. The present invention provides a simple high speed machine which will set stones or other small ornaice ments with complete accuracy and much faster than they could be possibly set by any other machine or methed. The device of the present invention is completely automatic and requires no handling or manual operations. Furthermore, the device of the present invention is provided with automatic controls which reduce the margin of malfunction to virtually zero.

While the drawings illustrate the operating portions of the machine mounted at an angle to the horizontal, this has been done for iacilitating the feeding of the stones only. In actual practice the applicant has found that the device will operate even when mounted horizontally. Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises a generally rectangular base Zil mounted on legs or brackets 21 which raise the base from table level. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and ll, an annular plate 22 is mounted adjacent the front edge of the base by bolting it at 23 to the top of a shaft which rotates the plate 22 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. A cylinder 25 is positioned on the base 29 surrounding the plate 22 to form a hopper for which the plate 22 forms a rotatable bottom. The rear portion of the cylinder 25 is provided adjacent its lower edge with an opening 26 through which the pick up mechanism enters the hopper as shown in FlGS. 3 and 11. The opening at is sealed off from the hopper 25 by auxiliary wall portion 27 which extends downwardly to point just clearing the plate 22, as shown in FIG. 11. The cylinder or hopper 25 is also provided with spaced strips 23 which extend radially inwardly from the wall portion and serve to stir up the stones or ornamental objects during the rotation of the plate 22. The strips 28 extend downwardly to a point spaced from the plate 22 where they are provided with brushes 29 whose bristles sweep across the plate 22 as it rotates beneath them. One side bottom edge of the wall portion 27 is also provided with brushes 39 which prevent the excess stones or ornaments from passing into the space formed by the auxiliary wall portion 27.

The plate 22 is provided adjacent its periphery with spaced openings 31 shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. Each opening 51 is provided with an upper tapered portion and a lower straight portion extending through the plate 22. Vfhen rhinestones are being used, the tapered bottom of each rhinestone will fit into each opening 31 into the position shown in FIG. 11. When the plate 22 is rotated and the cylinder 25 is filled with rhinestones, it will be found that the openings 3]; become filled with the rhinestones which usually fall with the red bottom downwardly. However, those stones which are in upside down position will be straightened or brushed oil as they pass under the brushes 29. Note that the upper portion of each rhinestone has a fiat surface which will not fit down into the opening. Also that in inverted position the pointed bottom will thus extend further upwardly than the stone would extend in right side up pot. .on. This permits the .;rushes to straighten or brush off the stones.

The plate 22 is mounted on a shaft 2 5 which is journaled in a bearing 32 mounted in a base 21) as shown PEG. 3. The lower end of the shaft 24% is provided with a ring gear 33 which is driven by a worm 34 mounted on a shaft 35 which is journaled in spaced brackets 36 extending from beneath the base 29, FIGS. 3 and 6. The shaft 35 is driven through a small bevelled gear 37 at one end mesi ing with a large bevelled gear 38 which is mounted on a shaft 3? extending at right angles to the shaft 35. One end of the shaft 39 is journaled in a supporting leg 21 and a post 4t? supports the intermediate portion of the shaft 39 extending downwar ly from the base 2%. The rear end of the shaft 39 is provided with a gear 41 which meshes with a gear $2 mounted on a main drive shaft 43 which is journaled in the rear supporting legs 21 as shown in FIG. 6. Rotation of the main drive shaft 43 is transmitted thhough gears 42 and ll to shaft 39 which transmits through gears 33 and 37 to the shaft 35. This rotates the worm 3s and gear 33 which rotates the shaft 24 and plate 22.

The individual stones must be picked from the openings 31 in the plate 22, placed in the preformed setting and then locked into the settings. This is accomplished by the assembly mounted on the base 29 to the rear of the hopper formed by the plate 22 and cylinder 25. A rectangular block 44 is provided with a large integral shaft 45 extending downwardly through an opening in the base 2% as shown in FIG. 3. The shaft 45 is vertically slidably mounted in the base 2i). A coil spring 46 is mounted at diagonal corners of the block 4-4 between the bottom of the block and the top of the base to resiliently retain the block 44 in the raised position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The block 44 is provided with a rectangular opening extending from the front to the rear through which the rectangular bar 47 is slidably mounted. The front end of the bar 47 is constructed as shown in the enlarged views FIGS. and 11. A longitudinal opening 43 extends through the front of the bar 47 to a point short of the rear end where it is connected by a vertical opening 49 to a flexible tube 5 3 for a purpose hereinafter to be decribed. The front end of the opening 46 is closed by the plug 51. Adjacent the front of the bar 47 is a vertical opening 52 extending from the bottom edge to the longitudinal opening 48. A tubular anvil 53 is mounted in the opening 52 and locked in place by a set screw 54 e"- tending from the front of the bar 67. The anvil 53 terminutes in a tapered bottom portion 55 which is used to close the prongs of the setting as will hereinafter be described. A pick up tube is slidably mounted within the anvil 53. 1e lower portion of the anvil is thickened to form a shoulder 57. The pick up tube 56 is provided with a thin portion 55 which extends through the thickened portion of the anvil and through the tapered end 55 as shown in FZGS. 5 and ll. The upper portion of the tube 56 is thicker and the shoulder formed between the thin and thicker portions rests on the shoulder 57 of the anvil to form a stop for the downward movement of the tube. A coil spring 59 is mounted in the upper portion of the anvil 53 and rests on the top of the tube 56 and extends upwardly against the up er wall of the opening 48 to resiliently retain the tube 56 in its lowermost position.

In the operation of the device it is necessary that the front end assern ly of the bar 47 have two motions. It must slide forwardly through the opening 26 of the cylinder 25 until it extends over the rhinestones in the openings 31 in the plate 22. it must then come downwardly pick up a rhinestone and move upwardly. It must then etract into the position shown in FIG. 3 move downwardly to set the rhinestone in its setting and move upwardly again back to its point of beginning. These motions are provided by sliding the bar 57 within the block 4 for the lateral movement and by reciprocating the block 44 for the vertical movement. Sliding movement of the bar 47 is accomplished by the mechanism shown in H88. 2 and 3. The rear bottom portion of the bar 2 7 is provided with an extension 6% and a horizontal coil spring 61 is positioned between this extension 6 3 and the block 4% to resiliently retain the bar 47 in withdrawn position as shown in FIG. 3. A rocker arm 62 is vertically pivotally mounted at the rear of the base 29. The upper end of the rocker arm is provided with an adjustable point 6?; which bears against the rear end of the bar 47. The lower end of the rocker arm is provided with a roller 64 which bears against a cam 65 which is mounted on the main drive shaft 4-3. A spring 66 urges the lower end of the rocker arm $2 in contact with the cam 65 at all times. A cam as is shaped to kick the rocker arm outwardly at the lower end forcing the upper end and point 63 inwardly against the bar 47 which is pushed forwardly against the action of the spring 61. When the high point of the cam 65 passes, the sprin' til is allowed to pull the bar 47 back '4 to its original position. This action takes place with each revolution of the drive shaft 43.

The vertical movement of the block 44 is provided by "he construction shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. A post of; is mounted on the base 2% to one side of the block 44 and is provided with a slot at its upper end in which a rocker arm 69 is pivotally mounted. One end of the rocker arm 69 extends over the top of the block 44 and is adjustably mounted at 7% in the top of the block 44. The other end of the rocker arm 69 engages a vertical pin 71 which extends through a collar 72- mounted in the base 2%. The lower end of the pin 71 is provided with a roller 73 which bears against a cam 74 mounted on the drive shaft 43. The cam 74 is a double cam having a high point 75 extending to one side and a high point 75 on the opposite side slightly greater than the point 75. in operation when the point 75 raises the pin 71 the inner end of the roller arm 69 depresses the block 54 against the action of the springs :6. This action takes place when. the bar 47 is in its forward position as shown in FIG. ll. The tube 56 will just touch the top of the rhinestone on the plate 22.. it is essential that this action be gentle to avoid crushing the rhinestone. Further movement of the cam allows the block 44 and bar 47 to move upwardly under the tension of the springs 45 and carrying the rhinestone with it as will hereinafter be described. The bar 47 is now withdrawn and the high point 76 of the cam 74 new contacts the pin 71. The block 44 is again forced downwardly this time to a slightly greater extent. This is necessary to crimp or close the setting prongs over the rhinestone as shown in H6. 13. If adjustments are equired it may become advisable to provide two cams one for the big point 75 and the other for the high point 76 instead of the single cam illustrated.

Bracelets, necklaces and similar articles of jewelry are formed of rhinestone chain which comprises individual settings, such as 77 shown in FIGS. 7, ll, 12 and 13, connected by bars 77' to form a chain of settings 77, as shown in FIG. 7. The chain of settings 77 is fed beneath the crimping head shown in FIG. 5 by the mechanism shown in FIGS. '6, 7, 9 and 1G. Referring to Fl". 7, a sprocket wheel 78 is mounted beneath the base 2d so that it ex tends upwardly through a slot 7% in the base with the teeth passing upwardly beyond the upper surface of the base. The teeth of the sprocket wheel are so spaced that they will enter the space between each setting 77 and hold the setting immovably in crimping position as shown in FIG. 7. Each sett'mg must be moved in timed relation to the crimping head. This is accomplished by providing the sprocket wheel 78 with slots 79 which form teeth 86 therebetween as shown in PEG. 10. A block 81 is suspended beneath the base Zl by bolts 8 The block Si is provided with a horizontal opening in which a bar 83 is reciprocally mounted. The block 81 is provided with a chamber 84 above the bar 83 in which a coil spring 85 is positioned to bear against a vertical pin as extending from the bar This arrangement forces the bar 83 to the left in FIG. 7. The left end of the bar 83 bears against a cam $7 which is mounted on the shaft 39. The right end of the bar 83 is provided with a pivoted finger 88 having a square inner end against which the coil spring 89 bears as shown in FIG. 16. With this arrangement when the bar 83 moves to the left under the action of the spring 85 the finger $8 will swing upwardly over the teeth 39 on the sprocket wheel 73. When the bar 83 moves to the right the finger 38 will enter the slot 79 hearing against the teeth 3t} and move the sprocket wheel one space counterclockwise. To ensure proper positioning of the sprocket wheel after each movement, the block 9%) which supports the sprocket wheel as shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a spring pressed ball 91 as shown in FIG. 9. Behind each slot 79, the sprocket wheel is provided with an opening 92 which resiliently snaps on to the ball 91 in correct position. As the settings 77 pass across the top of the base 2*!) and are assembled with the stones they pass vertically downwardly beneath the machine.

The operation of the device may now be described as follows:

A motor driven sprocket wheel 93 is designed to drive a sprocket wheel 94 connected to a clutch 5 which meshes with the end of the drive shaft 43. The sprocket drive also drives a suction pump 96 which is connected through a solenoid operated valve 37 to the hose Sal. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a simple on and off switch 98 is used to turn on the motor drive 93. The clutch 95 is controlled by a handle 99 attached to a solenoid 1%. When the solenoid 1% is activated it will pull the handle 5? and clutch 95 into disengaging position to stop the machine. When the switch 98 is thrown on, the handle 99 is moved to the left in FIG. 2 and the main drive shaft 43 starts its operation and the various elements heretofore des ribed go through their respective operations. Rotation of the plate 22 will bring a rhinestone 191 into the position shown in FIG. 11. The bar 47 has moved inwardly in this figure and downwardly so that the tube 56 touches the top of the rhinestone. At this point the cam 192 on the main drive shaft 53 actuatcs the switch 1623 which activates the solenoid varve 97 and connects the suction through the bar 47 and tube 56 so that it picks up the rhinestone 191. The bar 4-7 now moves vertically and outwardly carrying the rhinestone it'll and downwardly until it deposits the rhinestone 191 into a setting 77 as shown in FIG. 12. Now referring to HS. 13, further movement or" the bar 47 downwardly will cause the tube 56 to slide upwardly against the action of the spring 59 and the tapered bottom 55 of the anvil 53 closing the prongs of the setting 77 over the rhinestone to lock it in place. The bar 47 now moves upwardly and the suction is cut oil by the solenoid valve W. However, the rhinestones are usually mixed with glass chips and powder which have a tendency to clog the suction system. At this point therefore when the suction is cut oft, a positive or blowing pressure is put on by the same valve 97 to blow the debris out of the tube 56 and away from the assembly just completed. By alternately using a suction and a blowing force the tube 56 is kept clean and the chances of clogging and missing are greatly reduced. It is preferable that the rotation of the plate 22 be so synchronized with the pick up and assembly head that more than one stone opening 3}. moves by the head with each cycle. For example, the plate 22 may be timed so that every third stone is picked up. This allows each cavity to make three revolutions in the hopper etore reaching the piclrup head. This motion and action or" the brushes p" ticaily ensures that there will be a stone in the cavity in correct position before reaching the assembly position. The speed of the head is such that the plate 22 and sprocket 78 need not be stopped either during the pick up or assembly operations.

If desired the device can readily be modified to assemble two chains or" set .ngs simultaneously. This can be accomplished by doubling the sprocket wheel so that two chains are simultaneously moved across the base of the unit shown in PEG. 7 and adding an assembly head in the block 47 adjacent the one already provided. The plate 22 can then be formed as shown in FIG. 14 in which the plate 184 is provided with a double row of stone openings 105.

it is desirable to provide the device with safety switches to permit the device to be operated without an attendant. l have therefore provided a pair of switches 1dr; and M7 shown in FIG. 8 positioned beneath the plate 1% which feeds the settings 77 to the device. The switch 1537 is actuated by a button 1G9 beneath the switch. A pivoted arm 11%) extends from beneath the switch and past the button and into the vertical path of movement of the chain of settings 77. The outer end of the arm ill} is provided with a tube 111 through which the chain of settings 77 is freely slidable. If the chain of settings 77 should develop a kink or knot it cannot pass through the tube 111 and will pull the arm 11% upwardly. The arm 11%} will push the button 109 and the switch 197 will ac mate the solenoid tea to pull the clutch out of engagement with the drive shaft to stop the device. The switch 136 is provided wi.h a button 112 at one side. The pivoted arm 113 extends past the button 112 and terminates in a wheel 114 over which the chain of settings 77 passes. It will be found that as each setting 77 is pulled over the wheel 114 it causes the arm 113 to move inwardly against the button 112. When the space between the settings reaches the wheel it swings back outwardly. An intermittent pulsing action is thus provided by the switch 1%. By the use of a capacitor with a delayed action a continuous current is provided when the device is running. However, if the chain of settings should give out or stop moving the switch 1% will stop pulsating and the capacitor will cut oil the current similarly to the action of the switch 167 and cause the solenoid 1th} to disengage the clutch. If desired similar switches can be positioned over the finished chain to stop the machine if the settings do not contain rhinestones. The electrical circuit for the safety switches is shown in FIG. 15. Current is provided from v. AC. line at 32.5. The line 116 leads to the solenoid 16% which controls the handle 99. The other end of the solenoid ltlil leads to a relay operated switch 117. The pulsating switch res and the on oil switch 1%? are connected in series to the rectifier 118, resistor 119, and capacitor When the various switches are in solid line position the solenoid is activated pulling the handle 39 into oil position. When the switches are in dotted line position the solenoid is inactive and the machine is operating. It would be simple to adjust the value of the capacitor 12% and the inductance of the relay of the switch 117 to prevent premature discharge.

The device thus provides a completely automatic machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornamental objects into settings. The device is completely automatic requiring no attendant and is simple in construction and operation. ther advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assembly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper Wall opening and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said last named means compr sing a block mounted on said base having a horizontal slot, a bar slidably mounted in said slot, the forward end of said bar having a vertical opening, a hollow anvil member mounted in said opening and having a tapered lower edge for locking the setting prongs over the stones, a hollow tube sn ably mounted in said anvil with its lower end resiliently retained in position below the tapered walls to the lower end of said anvil, said bar having an opening communicating with a source of suction, said suction means includ ng a reversible valve, said valv reversing to a blowing action after the completion or" the setting operation.

2. in a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assemoly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper wall opening and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said hopper bottom having an annular row of tapered openings adjacent the periphery thereof for holding rhinestones in right side up position, said hopper side wall having an auxiliary wall portion separating said opening from the interior of said hopper, said side wall having spaced elongated strips for agitating said rhinestones, and brushes extending from the bottom edges of said strips and auxiliary wall portion, said feeding means comprising a sprocket wheel mounted beneath said base, said sprocket wheel extending upwardly through a slot in said base, said sprocket wheel having spaced teeth entering the spaces between said settings, and means for intermittently rotating said sprocket wheel to position successive sett ngs in setting position on said base.

3. In a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assembly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper wall opening and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said hopper bottom having an annular row of tapered openings adjacent the periphery thereof for holding rhinestones in right side up position, said hopper side wall having an auxiliary Wall portion separating said opening from the interior of said hopper, said side wall having spaced elongated strips for agitating said rhinestones, and brushes extending from the bottom edges of said strips and auxiliary wall portion, said last named means comprising a block mounted on said base having a horizontal slot, a bar slidably mounted in said slot, the forward end of said bar having a vertical opening, a hollow anvil member mounted in said opening and having a tapered lower edge for locking the setting prongs over the stones, a hollow tube slidably mounted in said anvil with its lower end resiliently retained in position below the tapered walls to the lower end of said anvil, said bar having an opening communicating with a source of suction.

4. In a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assembly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper wall opening and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said last named means comprising a block mounted on said base having a horizontal slot, a bar slidably mounted in said slot, the forward end of said bar having a vertical opening, a hollow anvil member mounted in said opening and having a tapered lower edge for locking the setting prongs over the stones, a hollow tube slidably mounted in said anvil with its lower end resiliently retained in position below the tapered walls to the lower end of said anvil, said bar having an opening communicating with a source of suction, means for reciprocating said block vertically, and means for reciprocating said bar horizontally.

5. In a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side Wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assembly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper Wall opening and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said last named means comprising a block mounted on said base having a horizontal slot, a bar slidably mounted in said slot, the for- 3 ward end of said bar having a vertical opening, a hollow anvil member mounted in said opening and having a tapered lower edge for locking the setting prongs over the stones, a hollow tube slidably mounted in said anvil with its lower end resiliently retained in position below the tapered walls to the lower end of said anvil, said bar having an opening communicating with a source of suction, said suction means including a reversible valve, said valve reversing to a blowing action after the completion of the setting operation, said hopper bottom being mounted on a central vertical shaft extending through said base, and means for rotating said shaft to move three rhinestone bottom openings with each assembly sequence.

6. In a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assent ly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper wall openirn and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said hopper bottom having an annular row of tapered openings adjacent the periphery thereof for holding rhinestones in right side up position, said hopper side Wall having an auxiliary wall portion separating said opening from the interior of said hopper, said side wall having spaced elongated strips for agitating said rhinestones, and brushes extending from the bottom edges of said strips and auxiliary wall portion, said feeding means comprising a sprocket wheel mounted beneath said base, said sprocket wheel extending upwardly through a slot in said base, said sprocket wheel having spaced teeth entering the spaces between said settings, and means for intermittently rotating said sprocket wheel to position successive settings in setting position on said base, a main drive shaft for said machine, a source of motive power, a solenoid controlled clutch between said source of motive power and main drive shaft, and a switch in the path of movement of said settings to activate said solenoid and disconnect said clutch when said settings are disarranged and out of alignment.

7. In a machine for setting rhinestones in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for simultaneously feeding a plurality of chains of settings to an assembly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for simultaneously removing a plurality of rhinestones from said hopper through said hopper wall opening and for simultaneously placing and locking said rhinestones in said sett'mgs in assembly position, said hopper bottom having spaced parallel annular rows of tapered openings adjacent the periphery thereof for holding rhinestones in right side up position, said hopper side wall having an auxiliary wall portion separating said opening from the interior of said hopper, said side wall having spaced elongated strips for agitating said rhinestones, and brushes extending from the bottom edges of said strips and auxiliary wall portion, said hopper bottom being mounted on a central vertical shaft extending through said base, and means for rotating said shaft to move three rhinestone bottom openings with each assembly sequence.

8. In a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assembly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper wall opening and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said hopper bottom having an annular row of tapered openings adjacent the periphery thereof for holding rhinestones in right side up position, said hopper side wall having an auxiliary wall portion separating said opening from the interior of said hopper, said side wall having spaced elongated strips for agitating said rhinestones, and brushes extending from the bottom edges of said strips and auxiliary wall portion, said last named means comprising a block mounted on said base having a horizontal slot, a bar slidably mounted in said slot, the forward end of said bar having a vertical opening, a hollow anvil member mounted in said opening and having a tapered lower edge for locking the setting prongs over the stones, a hollow tube slidably mounted in said anvil with its lower end resiliently retained in position below the tapered walls to the lower end of said anvil, said bar having an opening communicating with a source of suction, said hopper bottom being mounted on a central vertical shaft extending through said base, and means for rotating said shaft to move three rhinestone bottom open ngs with each assembly sequence.

9. In a machine for setting rhinestones or similar ornaments in a chain of settings, a base, a hopper mounted on said base for holding a plurality of rhinestones, said hopper having a cylindrical side wall and a rotating bottom, said side wall having an opening, means for feeding successive settings in a chain to an assembly position on said base, and means mounted on said base for removing a rhinestone from said hopper through said hopper wall opening and for placing and locking said rhinestone in said setting in assembly position, said hopper bottom having a plurality of openings for holding rhinestones in right side up position, said hopper bottom being mounted on a central vertical shaft extending through said base, and means for rotating said shaft to move three rhinestone bottom openings with each assembly sequence, a main drive shaft for said machine, a source of motive power, a solenoid controlled clutch between said source of motive power and main drive shaft, and a switch in the path of movement of said settings to activate said solenoid and disconnect said clutch when said settings are disarranged and out of alignment, and a second switch for disconnecting said clutch when said settings discontinue feeding movement on said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 520,681 Hunter May 29, 1894 562,292 Field June 16, 1896 949,902 Karazej et al Feb. 22, 1910 1,135,576 Grabau Apr. 13, 1915 1,520,013 Culotta Dec. 23, 1924 1,994,250 Meyers Mar. 12, 1935 2,260,572 Russa et al Oct. 28, 1941 2,406,562 Reynolds Aug. 27, 1946 2,631,281 Hardy Mar. 17, 1953 2,641,879 Dalrymple June 16, 1953 2,858,597 Kraerner Nov. 4, 1958 2,932,877 Pakish et al Apr. 19, 1960 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR SETTING RHINESTONES OR SIMILAR ORNAMENTS IN A CHAIN OF SETTINGS, A BASE, A HOPPER MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF RHINESTONES, SAID HOPPER HAVING A CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL AND A ROTATING BOTTOM, SAID SIDE WALL HAVING AN OPENING, MEANS FOR FEEDING SUCCESSIVE SETTINGS IN A CHAIN TO AN ASSEMBLY POSITION ON SAID BASE, AND MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR REMOVING A RHINESTONE FROM SAID HOPPER THROUGH SAID HOPPER WALL OPENING AND FOR PLACING AND LOCKING SAID RHINESTONE IN SAID SETTING IN ASSEMBLY POSITION, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS COMPRISING A BLOCK MOUNTED ON SAID BASE HAVING A HORIZONTAL SLOT, A BAR SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID SLOT, THE FORWARD END OF SAID BAR HAVING A VERTICAL OPENING, A HOLLOW ANVIL MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID OPENING AND HAVING A TAPERED LOWER EDGE FOR LOCKING THE SETTING PRONGS OVER THE STONES, A HOLLOW TUBE SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID ANVIL WITH ITS LOWER END RESILIENTLY RETAINED IN POSITION BELOW THE TAPERED WALLS TO THE LOWER END OF SAID ANVIL, SAID BAR HAVING AN OPENING COMMUNICATING WITH A SOURCE OF SUCTION, SAID SUCTION MEANS INCLUDING A REVERSIBLE VALVE, SAID VALVE REVERSING TO A BLOWING ACTION AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE SETTING OPERATION. 